Taking the challenge

Part I - The Mudblood

"Hey Harry, how was the summer?"

Harry Potter, well known in the wizarding world, rolled his eyes. "It was fun," he answered sarcastically. In fact, it had been the worst summer in his life so far. Dudley had been still struggling with his weight, and his aunt and uncle had been nastier then ever to him. Only the letters from his friends and godfather had cheered him up. Now he was so relieved to be returning to Hogwarts, he felt as if he could burst into flames like Fawkes.

Hermione Granger grinned apologetically at him.

Behind them, the Weasleys appeared through the wall that was the barrier to the muggle world. "Harry!" said Mrs Weasley warmly and hugged him. Ron grinned at his friend.

"Good to see you again, Harry", said his brothers, the incredible Weasley twins, twinkling at him.

"Ready for the last year?" asked Harry, grinning too.

Mrs Weasley's face changed into a very serious one. "I hope so!" Her voice was almost threatening.

"Mum!" George protested. "We'll be fine, promise!"

Fred shook his head. "Really, mum, you're discouraging us." He made a puppy face.

Harry laughed. It was so good to be with his friends again! Slowly they went to the front of the train. Behind them, two people appeared. The whole wizarding community on platform 9 ¾ turned their heads in their direction.

The smaller girl - who had to be a first year - was not yet dressed in her black Hogwarts robe. Her elfin features and shiny silver hair gave her an otherworldly air.

Her mother - if she was her mother - had a quite different look. Her raven black hair flowed down her neck and ended some inches over her waist. Two thin strands on each sides of her face were bleached blonde. She wore muggle clothes, tight black leather pants and a long coat.

She didn't seem to notice the attraction she got.

"I hope you'll behave, Dee," she said to the small girl, who grinned up to her.

"Like I was at home, promise!"

The taller woman laughed. "I was afraid of that. So, send me your owl after you got to Hogwarts. You know, I'm very curious about the whole wizarding school thing."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The two of them hugged, and the older one helped the other on the train.

"First year Hogwarts?" asked Mr Weasley with a warm smile in the woman's direction.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes. My sister is very excited!"

The Weasleys laughed.

"All our children were. Oh, my name is Molly Weasley. This is my husband, Arthur, and my children: Fred, George, Ron and Ginnie. And these two are Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Talyn, Talyn Hardenbrook. And this is my sister Deidra."

"Are you a muggle?" said Mr Weasley curiously.

Talyn Hardenbrook stared blankly at him. "Excuse me?"

"He means a non-magical person. Don't worry, dear, that shouldn't be an insult," Mrs Weasley said hastily.

"Oh, I don't feel insulted, really, Mrs Weasley. I just didn't understand that word. Seems I have to improve my language."

"We're going to be late, Mum!" Fred hugged his mother, and jumped on the train. The others followed, not without glancing curiously at the Hardenbrook woman. The Weasleys waved to the leaving train, and Talyn Hardenbrook waved too.

"Can I ask you a question, Mrs Weasley?" asked Talyn, as soon as the train was out of sight.

"Sure. Ask what you want, dear."

"Is Hogwarts safe? I read a little about it in Deidra's books, but I didn't come very far."

"Hogwarts is safe, Miss Hardenbrook," said Mr Weasley. "As long Professor Dumbledore is headmaster, nothing will happen to the children. And if you have any problems or questions, you can send us an owl."

"Thank you, Mr Weasley. This is very kind of you."

"Not at all. And please call me Arthur."

"My name's Talyn. You see ... Deidra is all I left from my family, and maybe I'm a little overprotective." She shrugged.

Mrs Weasley laughed. "Oh, love, I'm worring about my children all the time, and I have seven of them! You have to visit us sometime at the Burrow, if you like to."

"Thanks for the offering. Right now, I have to leave. I have class in the afternoon."

"Are you studying?"

"Me? No, I'm a chemistry professor."

"Really? Muggle chemistry? Please tell me ..."

"Not now, Arthur!" Molly sighed. "You see, Talyn is in a hurry. Just send us an owl, dear, and have a good afternoon."

"I will. Thank you." Talyn Hardenbrook shook hands with the Weasleys, and with a last look around the deserted platform she left.

"What a nice girl!" stated Molly Weasley.

"Yes, indeed, Molly. By the way, do you think all muggle woman wear such clothes?"

****

"Do all muggle woman have such clothes?" Ron asked curiously, unknowingly repeating his father's question. Together they had found an empty compartment and made themselves comfortable.

Hermione had opened Crookshank's cage, and the Weasleys were looking through their newest ensemble of joke equipment.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid, Ron. That was a quite unusual outfit for a muggle, right, Harry?"

Harry nodded.

"I think she was cool," was Fred's statement.

"Yeah," said George.

"I think they have a crush." Ginnie grinned widely.

"No way!"

Soon their conversation led in a different way, and they almost forgot the whole incident.

*****

Deidra Hardenbrook was having a good time. Very soon she had made two new friends, who happened to be pureblood wizards.

"What house do you think you'll be at?" asked Liam Finnigan, a small, red-haired boy. "My brother is at Gryffindor. I hope I'll get there, too.

Deidra shrugged. "I don't know. I don't belong to the magical world - I mean, not yet! I just know a little bit from what I read in Hogwarts - A history. But I hadn't had the chance to read any further, my sister nicked it from me. She said I can still read it at Hogwarts."

"That was your sister, on the platform?" asked Julia Bucannon, a tall blonde girl.

Deidra nodded.

"Where are your parents?"

"They're dead. My sister raised me."

"Sorry," mumbled Julia.

"You don't have to be. I can't even remember them. It was a car accident and I wasn't older than half a year."

"Were they muggles?"

"Yes. I'm the first witch in our family. My sister was very surprised as the letter from Hogwarts came."

"I bet so. I hope I'll be in Ravenclaw," Julia said. "My Mum and my Dad were there."

"What about Slytherin?" asked Deidra.

Julia and Liam looked at each other. "I cringe at that thought!" Liam shuddered.

"But weren't the greatest wizards from Slytherin?" Deidra was confused.

"You-know-who was from Slytherin!" whispered Liam, looking quite uncomfortable.

"So what? I don't think each student from Slytherin turns into Lord Voldemort."

Both purebloods held their breath. "Are you crazy?" shouted Liam, "Don't say his name!"

"The girl has courage," a lazy voice from the door came. A handsome boy with white-blond hair much like Deidra's leaned on the door, flicking a speck of imaginary dust off brand new robes with elegant fingers. "I heard you were talking about Slytherin? I'm Draco Malfoy, fifth year, and prefect." he said.

Julia and Liam paled, while Deidra looked at him curiously. "Deidra Hardenbrook. Nice to meet you."

"So, you want to know about Slytherin, Deidra?"

"Don't!" hissed Liam. "They hate all muggle-born!"

Unfortunately, Draco heard him. "You're a mudblood?" he asked, his eyes became frosty.

"I don't like the sound of that," stated Deidra flatly. "But, yeah, I'm muggle-born. Any problems with that?" She regarded him as icily as he was eyeing her.

Suddenly, he chuckled. "Got that point right, Hardenbrook. I don't like mudbloods. They don't belong at Hogwarts, that's my opinion."

"Really," she smirked, showing no fear.

"Um ... Deidra ... excuse us," stuttered Liam and stood up hastily. "I have to find my brother." He and Julia left the compartment, almost running.

"Cowards," murmured Deidra.

"They are wiser than you, Hardenbrook. See you at Hogwarts." He gave her a scowl and disappeared.

Deidra just snorted and grabbed a book from her bag. Julia and Liam didn't come back, and she was getting bored. She stroked the feathers of her owl that she had named Melinda after her mother. Then she sighed, took her quill and began to write a letter to her sister.

Dear Talyn,

This is just great. I'm not even there, and I'm in trouble yet.

Remember, we talked about the houses? I just met a Slytherin, yay me. Seems like they aren't fond of muggle-borns. He called me a mudblood. I'll show him what we mudbloods are able to do, be aware.

I hope we'll get a good potions professor. I learned a lot from you about chemistry, and I think that potions is almost the same - with other ingredients, that is. I'll write you about it.

Love you, big sis

Dee

"We're getting to Hogwarts soon. Please leave your lugguage in the train, it will be brought to your rooms."

Deidra sighed and looked out of the window. The train stopped, she left her compartment, and hopped down on the platform.

"Firs' years, to me!" a rumbling voice shouted.

She saw Julia and Liam in the crowd, but they both looked away as their eyes met. Deidra was getting angry. She pushed her way through the crowd and stopped in front of them. "What's the matter with you two?" She scowled.

"We don't want trouble with the Slytherins. You're a troublemaker," said Liam shortly.

"This is just GREAT you fools! That was not my fault!"

"Please, Deidra, shut up. You're drawing attention!"

"You know what? Grow up!" Deidra turned and stalked away, muttering imprecations under her breath, following the towering man to the boats to which he was leading them.

Part II - Trouble in Slytherin

Severus Snape was sitting at his usual seat at the staff table. He seemed to be deep in his usual dark mood, regarding the new first year pupils who were following Minerva McGonagall with his customary scowl. But deep inside, he wasn't paying attention at all.

Ever since Dumbledore had forced him to make a truce with Sirius Black (he snorted at the thought) and his own acceptance to the headmaster's plans, he was caught between excitement and pure fear. He knew almost the whole staff table would burst out laughing just at the thought of Severus Snape fearing anything. But he did. The time hadn't come yet, but it was close, he felt it in every fibre of his being. Not that he was supposed to join Voldemort again - that would never work, not after the Quirrel incident. Severus silently cursed the young man who had destroyed the plans they had carefully made during all the years. That left - spying. Dirty work, but still has to be done, he repeated to himself. He snorted again. Now you sound like a Gryffindor, really, Severus, snap out of it!

He regarded the new kids with more attention now. Who would be sorted in his own house? Maybe the boy with the black hair - he looked like a Slytherin, sneering and his nose wide in the air. Or the blonde girl? Nah, looked more like Hufflepuff. It was an old game for him, to sort them before the hat did that on his own. And almost every time he was right, too - when it came to his own house.

"Bucannon, Julia"

"RAVENCLAW!"

He saw the blonde girl smiling, going to the cheering Ravenclaw table, and shrugged. Missed.

"Haley, Derrick."

"SLYTHERIN!"

That was the black haired boy. Snape smirked.

"Hardenbrook, Deidra."

This time, the hat was quiet a long time. Then it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

Severus Snape raised his eyebrows. Now that was interesting. He quit focussing on the continuing sorting and his eyes followed Deidra Hardenbrook, while she was going to the Slytherin table. He could see Draco Malfoy sneering, mouthing 'mudblood' to Crabbe.

Deidra herself was perfectly calm, but her eyes shot daggers in Malfoy's direction.

Snape almost smiled. That girl, even if she really was a muggle-born, definitely had courage.

As the sorting ended, Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair and beamed in the hall.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before the feast starts, I'd like to say a few words to the new students. The forest at Hogwarts' ground is forbidden, please remember that. I also want to introduce to you all the new teacher of Defense of the Dark Arts, Mr. Delaney."

Snape scowled. Despite the common knowledge, he didn't want to have this position, but after the Quirrel incident, Dumbledore had only chosen the wrong people for this job.

'I wonder how long Delaney will teach it?' he mused quietly.

The feast began. All the while Snape regarded his own table without a pause. He saw Malfoy whispering to several people on the table. They all watched Deidra now closely, who began to feel quite uncomfortable. But she refused to move single muscle and stared challengingly at Malfoy.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout also noticed the anxiety at the Slytherin table and they looked at each other, and then at Professor Snape. McGonagall leaned over to him and said quietly, "Severus, watch your table."

"What do you think I've been doing?" he snapped. "I'll cut that off as fast as possible, but you can't expect me to interrupt the feast." He could see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley whisper at the Gryffindor table and looking towards the Slytherins as well. He rolled his eyes. I bet two hundred galleons that this will be a VERY interesting year .

***

"A word with you, Mr Malfoy, before you guide the first years in their dorms," said Professor Snape sternly. He had awaited the Slytherins after the feast, just in time to prevent further actions against the new girl.

Malfoy smirked, but he joined Snape. "What is it, Professor?"

"I demand you to keep your aversion against Miss Hardenbrook in check, Mr Malfoy. The sorting hat decided to send her to Slytherin, so she is one. Leave her alone."

"But Sir, she is s mudblood!" protested Malfoy.

Snape sighed. "Mr Malfoy, did I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sir," answered Malfoy through gritted teeth.

"I hope so," said Snape icily.

"First years, follow me!" bellowed Malfoy, and guided them into the Slytherin's common room. He glared at Deidra, who didn't even flinch. "The password is 'Salazar' for this week. Don't forget it. The girl's dorm is at to the left, and the boy's to the right. Tomorrow you'll get your schedules. Any questions?"

Nobody dared to speak.

"Fine. Good night," said Malfoy shortly and went to his own dorm. He smashed the door closed. Crabbe, Goyle and Zabini flinched visibly.

"Something wrong, Draco?" asked Goyle.

"Snape told me - FIRMLY - to take my hands off the little mudblood. Can you believe that?"

"But the Sorting Hat ..."

"Was wrong! How could a mudblood otherwise come to Slytherin?!"

*****

"Are you really a mudblood?"

Deidra turned her head to glare at the girl who spoke to her. "I prefer muggle-born, if you don't mind," she said coldly.

"Oh, but I do mind! Aren't you supposed to be in Gryffindor? Or Hufflepuff?" The girl asked viciously.

"Look, whatever-your-name-is, you don't like it? That's your problem. I'm here, and I'll stay here."

"Don't count on it, mudblood."

Another girl joined in. "Yeah, bet we can drive you out in no time, Hardenbrook."

Deidra just snorted and went to her bed. The girls around her fell asleep soon. She was tired, too, but there was too much going on in her head. So she sighed and grabbed the letter to her sister again.

P.S.: I'm now at Hogwarts. Guess what, I was sorted into Slytherin. No complaints here, but the others don't like me, 'cause I'm a muggle-born. What do you suggest, oh mighty sister? I will do what I have to, I promise. You will be proud of me.

If they want a fight, they'll get it.

D.

Still to come: Deidra will make a friend in Slytherin - who will it be?

Meanwhile Talyn is researching in Diagon Alley about the wizarding world and learns about Voldemort and the threat he is, not only to the wizards but the whole world.